I'm pretty good at ducking, as most of you will know --

[uppityperson]

I went, so you don't have to. Barf. Question for mrbush, now that there are widespread protests with people whacking shoes into pictures of him, does this qualify as more than 1 individual with a need for attention? Picture is from different place.


http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/12/20081214-5.html

Q Quick ducking there, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: I was worried about you. I thought you were going to have a heart attack.

Q I thought I was, too. (Laughter.) I'm with you on that.

THE PRESIDENT: Okay, my opening statement: I didn't know what the guy said, but I saw his sole. (Laughter.) You were more concerned than I was. I was watching your faces.

Q I saw something black and round go by my face.

Q Just to see that --

THE PRESIDENT: -- his first -- other than shoes. (Laughter.)

Q -- to duck. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: I'm pretty good at ducking, as most of you will know --

Q You were quick.

Q -- ducking --

THE PRESIDENT: I'm talking about ducking your questions. (Laughter.)

Q So you weren't a lame duck. (Moans and groans.)

THE PRESIDENT: That bad? You know, I -- look, I mean it was just a bizarre moment, but I've had other bizarre moments in the presidency. I remember when Hu Jintao was here. Remember we had the big event? He's speaking, and all of a sudden I hear this noise -- had no earthly idea what was taking place, but it was the Falun Gong woman screaming at the top of her lungs. It was kind of an odd moment.

Questions. We're going to Afghanistan now, in case you hadn't been told. You probably thought we were going home, but, no. Then we're going to go to -- never mind. (Laughter.)

Q Well, not to belabor the point too much, on this man, but I have a serious question about it. Obviously he's expressing a vein of anger that exists in Iraq, and --

THE PRESIDENT: How do you know? I mean, how do we know what he's expressing? Who --

Q We had a translator who said he shouted about the widows and orphans.

THE PRESIDENT: I don't know. I've heard all kinds of stories. I heard he was representing a Baathist TV station. I don't know the facts, but let's find out the facts. All I'm telling you, it was a bizarre moment.

Q I wanted to ask something broader.

THE PRESIDENT: I don't think you can take one guy throwing shoes and say this represents a broad movement in Iraq. You can try to do that if you want to. I don't think it would be accurate.

Q Well, then, separately from him --

THE PRESIDENT: That's exactly what he wanted you to do. Like I answered on your question, what he wanted you to do was to pay attention to him. And sure enough, you did. Now, look, I'm not suggesting you can't avoid it. But it --
(clip)

MS. PERINO: You guys have eight minutes left. You're going to Afghanistan. You might want to ask --

Q -- talk about it.

THE PRESIDENT: Is that where we're going?